Fensterscheibe auf Ryanair-Flug zerbrochen: Ehefrau schildert Überlebenskampf

A dramatic incident unfolded aboard a Ryanair flight on Friday, July 10, when a cabin window shattered mid-flight, leading to a life-threatening situation for one passenger. The event took place on flight FR1879, which was traveling from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, aboard a Boeing 737-800. Shortly after takeoff, passengers heard a loud explosion, followed by the shattering of a window on the right side of the aircraft near the engine area. Ljubiša Karović, a 61-year-old passenger seated directly next to the damaged window, was pulled partially out of the plane due to the sudden pressure change. Witnesses described the harrowing scene, with one reporting that his head and shoulders were visible outside the broken window. His wife, Svetlana Grković, who sat beside him, along with other passengers, held onto his legs with all their strength to pull him back inside the cabin. According to reports from Serbian media, she later recounted the ordeal in detail. The chaos escalated further as oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling, causing panic among the passengers. The pilot decided to abort the flight and return to Thessaloniki, where emergency services were already waiting. Upon arrival, Karović was immediately taken to a hospital, where he received medical treatment. His wife informed reporters that he sustained severe injuries, including burns and damage to his hand, and was under shock. She noted that he could not speak or recall the incident. Grković recalled the moments leading up to the accident. She and her husband had been returning from their vacation, having fallen asleep during the flight. The sudden noise startled them awake. She described the impact as though part of the engine had detached and struck the window behind her husband. Fortunately, he was wearing his seatbelt. She remembered grabbing his legs instinctively, saying, “If we are going to die, we will die together.” Her husband lost consciousness multiple times during the incident. Passengers nearby were also deeply affected. One mother, holding her child tightly, was observed to be nearly suffocating the child in her arms. The emotional toll of the event was evident among the passengers, many of whom were left shaken by the experience. The cause of the window breakage remains under investigation. Ryanair confirmed the incident but did not provide details on the possible reason. Greek state broadcaster ERT reported that new video footage suggests a piece of the engine had become dislodged. This debris likely collided with the cabin window, causing the fracture. Experts have suggested that foreign objects such as birds or drones might have entered the engine and damaged the turbine blades, leading to parts breaking free and striking the fuselage. Pilot Mirko Miesen explained to RTL that such scenarios are plausible. He noted that foreign objects can enter the engine and damage internal components, potentially leading to fragments flying around and impacting the aircraft structure. The video evidence clearly shows the point of impact close to the engine housing. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding how the incident occurred and ensuring such situations are prevented in the future. Meanwhile, Ljubiša Karović remains hospitalized, recovering from the physical and psychological trauma of the event.